SHEILA MCHUGH-O’CONNELL, T.C.R.G.
TARA MCHUGH-BOYCE, T.C.R.G.

Tara and Sheila have a true love for and a long past history of local and world-wide accomplishment in Irish dance. They began learning to Irish dance at ages 3 and 6 respectively in Wilmington, Delaware. They later became students of the world-renowned Donny Golden School in New York City. They commuted weekly and sometimes more often to New York for lessons.

Tara and Sheila were able to achieve many honors and awards in Irish Dancing. At the height of their competitive careers, Tara was ranked 6th place nationally, Sheila ranked 3rd place nationally, and both were former U.S. Regional 1st place Senior Ladies’ champions. Both competed several times at the
World Championships in Ireland and became finalists in the world competition.

They are also accomplished performers. Tara toured with the band Cherish the Ladies. Sheila performed in the past with the world-famous Chieftains. Tara performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York with Frank Patterson. Both also performed regularly with Mick Moloney and Green Fields of America and Tara’s husband’s band, Blackthorn. They have performed at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and at Milwaukee’s Irish Fest.

Sheila passed the intricate T.C.R.G. examination in 1987, which certified her to teach professionally, and she began teaching in New York City, Maryland, Delaware, and Philadelphia. In 1990, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue other career interests and also taught Irish dancing there. Tara passed the T.C.R.G. Exam in 1996 and opened her own McHugh School of Irish Dance in
Delaware and Pennsylvania. Sheila returned to the east coast to teach with her sister in 1999. Over the years, they have collectively produced some of the top-placing regional winners, a world champion competitor, and a world champion Best Overseas Award-winner.

Sisters Sheila and Tara take pride in operating a small, down-to-earth, and family-oriented Irish dance school, with plans for expansion of their school in the near future. All their dancers are given unique opportunities to perform, receive the highest standard in coaching for competition, and some of their dancers simply choose to dance for the fun of learning!

Tara may be reached directly at tinydance@comcast.net.

Sheila may be reached directly at mchughoconnell@verizon.net